With tender hearts we said goodbye to Barry Ray Goff our beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, friend and example to all. Barry passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by his family in the early morning hours of December 23, 2017 after a valiant and courageous battle with a glioblastoma brain tumor. As he did with any trial in his life, Barry faced cancer with faith and a quiet determination. Barry never let his tumor get in the way of continuing to live his life to the fullest. Since his diagnosis nearly three years ago, Barry and his family have made many lasting memories traveling with his family and supporting his many grandchildren in their various sporting, dancing and music events.
Barry was born June 11, 1943 in Murray, Utah to Garn and Arlene Goff. Barry and his family moved several times prior to graduating from high school in Great Falls, Montana. While in Great Falls, Barry was influenced greatly by a caring Bishop and Young Men's President that touched his life and gave him a desire to serve an LDS mission. Barry was called to serve in the Central Atlantic States LDS Mission. While serving, Barry's family moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. Shortly after returning home from his mission, Barry met his sweetheart and eternal companion, Jean Salisbury. They were married on October 8, 1965 in the Salt Lake Temple. Barry attended LDS Business College graduating with a degree in accounting. After gaining experience for a few years, Barry started his own public accounting firm and with hard work and determination quickly built a strong practice of loyal clients that he loved and served for over 40 years.
Over the years, Barry touched many lives through his faithful service in the LDS church. Barry served in many capacities, including serving as the Bishop of the Cottonwood Heights 3rd Ward. Barry had extraordinary faith and an unwavering testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He had an amazing ability to love those he served. Everyone who knew him loved his humble nature and can-do attitude.
Barry loved working on home improvement projects. There is nothing that Barry couldn't do when he put his mind to it. Throughout his life, Barry taught himself how to be a carpenter, electrician, plumber, mechanic, and mason. When he wasn't taking care of his clients or serving in the LDS church he was undoubtedly working on a do-it-yourself project. Over the years, Barry's projects included finishing his basement, building on to his home in Cottonwood Heights, shingling his roof, building shelves, laying tile, building decks, fixing cars, and eventually building his own home in Draper. When he wasn't working on his own home and yard, Barry was selflessly helping his children work on their homes. Through all of these many projects, Barry taught his children the value of hard work. Barry was happiest when he was working side-by-side with his children. Along with his hard work ethic he also instilled a love of BYU Football in his children, as a season ticket holder for over 35 years.
He is survived by his loving wife, Jean, of 52 years and his children: Kevin and Leslie, Todd and Alison, Michele Rodrigues, Shawn and Chari, Allison and Tyler Peterson and Kimberly and Robert Crossman; nineteen grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren with one more on the way. Four siblings, Bevan and Judy Goff, Wendy and Dave Copus, Charisse and Robert Fuhriman and Gayla Gregory. Barry was preceded in death by his parents, Garn and Arlene Goff, in-laws Charles and Jennie "Pat" Salisbury and brother-in-law Jacob Gregory.
We express our deepest gratitude and heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Howard Colman, Dr. Sean Strope, Brett and Kylee and the staff at Huntsman Cancer Institute for their outstanding care and service. As well as to the staff of Horizon Hospice for their loving care of our husband, father and grandfather.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 30, 2017 at 11:00 AM at the Corner Canyon Stake Center, 13366 South 1300 East, Draper, UT. A viewing will be held on Friday, December 29th from 6:00 to 8:00 PM and Saturday, December 30th beginning at 9:30 at the Corner Canyon Stake Center.
